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Redskins sign Vonnie Holliday, veteran defensive end

Updated, 10:32 a.m.

The Redskins have added yet another veteran defensive lineman, signing defensive end Vonnie Holliday before the first of the team's organized team activities begins today.

Holliday, 34, has played with five organizations in 12 seasons and spent last year with the Denver Broncos, where he played a role in 33 tackles, posted five sack and forced two fumbles. He started three times but appeared in all 16 games.

Until last season, Holliday had been a regular starter every year since entering the league as Green Bay's first-round draft pick (19th overall) in 1998. Listed at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, Holliday is among the lightest linemen on the Redskins' roster.

As the Redskins still try to figure out how the Albert Haynesworth situation will resolve itself, they've given themselves plenty of options on the line. Holliday is the ninth linemn they've added this offseason.

Holliday's signing was first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

No new jersey for McNabb

Saying he wants to finish his career in Washington, Donovan McNabb reassures a Redskins fan that he won't see McNabb burgundy-and-gold jerseys in the remainder bin next season, via Dan Steinberg at D.C. SportsBog.

Dude had 5 sacks last yr and has been solid throughout his career. I think he's capable of being more then just another body, especially given the fact that its not like the Skins are stacked at the D line position anyway.

They sign yet another D-lineman I guess to send a message to Haynesworth. Unfortunately Haynesworth's top-heavy contract makes this sort of message akin to, "Please, sir, will you help our team win?" The contract gives big guy little incentive to perform and I wonder why Snyder would approve such an absurd agreement with a man of questionable character. I doubt he entered into any soft agreements like this while building a billion dollar marketing company.

More old camp fodder. Does anyone think this guy will make the final cut?

Posted by: Randy_Hawkins | May 17, 2010 9:11 AM

Most likely they keep 7 or 8 on the DL. As of today I count

Golston
Carriker
H Green
Kemoeatu

as part of that rotation. We'll have to wait on AH, but most likely he's not going anywhere. Daniels, Holiday, Bryant, Peterson, Scott, Jacobs competing for the last 2 or 3 spots. Not sure what position Jarmon is playing.

I take it that by their continued signing of d-linemen that they are not quite happy with what they have, but I'm not really sure this sends any message to Haynesworth as Holliday is too light to play the nose tackle position that Fat Albert would ultimately play. I do know Holliday could contribute at end and he is a good locker room guy.

Shanahan seems intent on getting as many "team first" players into the fold as possible, which is good, but I think you also have to get some "nasty" back there as well. Who is the guy on the roster that is going to get in players' faces and go nuts on game day? Haynesworth could be that guy but I really don't think he will be with the team this season. Landry could be that guy but it is hard to set the pace when you are whiffing on tackles and falling for double moves. So, the question for day RI guys, is who sets the pace? Who can bring "nasty" to this defense?

I think it's sad that this was talked about for an hour on the last post before they finally got off their lazy azzes and decided to report on it, old news already Maese

if he came in the league in 98 he is a 12 year vet. You take how many years a player has played and add a year, traditional math does no good here. 2010 minus 1998 is 12 years, but his first year was in 1998, so you add a year, this is his 13th year. Sorry to go all Math teacher on you!

DL in a 3-4 are just large space eaters that primarary responsibity is to hold there position. It's key to have a solid rotation to keep the fresh legs in there. LB are and will be the key to this D. Is Jarmon going to be an end or LB?

This switch to a 3-4 continues to rear its ugly head. Seems to me that Shanny is more concerned with the D line then any other position on the field, despite the fact that last year the D line was one of the strongest positions for the Skins. He should of took the old, "If it ain't broke don't fix it" theory on this one. Now, if he would of came in and said, we're going to incorporate the 3-4 about 30 percent of the time, that was of seemed alot more reasonable. Now you got players that don't fit the scheme, unhappy dominant 4-3 D lineman, etc.

The 'ain't broke don't fix it' rule doesn't apply here. Sure we were pretty solid at D last year, but there needed to be a change in culture here, even on the defense. We sucked at forcing turnovers, and we gave up way too many big plays. I'm glad we're changing, Blache was too soft and so was our 4-3. We should still be as solid as last year, but hopefully more of a shutdown/gamechanging defense that we never would have been with the old regime

About thirty links -- usually with "Haynesworth" in the headline -- in the last two months. And what has been the hard news about Haynesworth in the last two months? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Goose egg. Nil.

Vonnie Holliday?! Isn't he like 50? My gosh...I think I remember him playing with old timers live Favre! Oh wait....never mind.

That is a crowded D-Line. TWISI - not sure why you have H Green penned in already or even Kemoeatu, although I think he's a surer bet. Also, if we're predominantly going with a 3-4 D, then it would make sense that we'd be going with 6 or 7 guys. I'm wondering if Holliday may threaten either Daniel's or Gholston's jobs. Question: Who would you rather have go in that scenario, and why?

Also, RedSkinHead, Haynesworth will suit up as a starter for the Skins this year (for better or worse), so get that out of your mind. Chances are SO slim that he will go anywhere else and the more time goes by, the slimmer those chances are.

About thirty links -- usually with "Haynesworth" in the headline -- in the last two months. And what has been the hard news about Haynesworth in the last two months? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Goose egg. Nil.

Posted by: beep-beep

Dont' know what journalism school defined "hard news" for you, but in sports journalism the fact that the owner is upset with him, and updates on the fact he has NOT attended workouts or practice more than qualify as hard new.

Hopefully as the chances slim that AH is on another team....so will his waistline a bit....and for that matter mine as well...

Posted by: chrislarry | May 17, 2010 10:18 AM
-----------------------------------------------------------
No doubt. I wish I could at least see a "where are they now"-type video so I could see what type of shape he's in or a daily video podcast of his workouts...or something just so I could rest my mind at ease.

The 'ain't broke don't fix it' rule doesn't apply here. Sure we were pretty solid at D last year, but there needed to be a change in culture here, even on the defense. We sucked at forcing turnovers, and we gave up way too many big plays. I'm glad we're changing, Blache was too soft and so was our 4-3. We should still be as solid as last year, but hopefully more of a shutdown/gamechanging defense that we never would have been with the old regime

Posted by: monk811 | May 17, 2010 10:05 AM | Report abuse

That has to do with more of Blache's scheme then anything else. Installing a more aggressive 4-3, allowing Orakpo and Haynesworth to be let loose more, and putting Landry back at SS could of easily led to more TO's. Now Carter might be the odd man out and Jarmon, who had the potential to be a stud DE, has to learn to play LB? The culture was changed with the release of Zorn, Blache, and Cerrato. Now you have as many headaches on defense as you do on offense in my humble and esteemed opinion.

I think that Adam Carriker was the best pickup of the offseason. He was drafted a 3-4 End, and played well. Until he got hurt, and when Hasslett left, he wasn't a fit in a 4-3. I think he can be a beast. Sleeper pick up in the offseason in my mind!!!

We are stuck with Haynesworth! of course if he really wants to play for another team..I`m sure Danny would let him buy back his contract.
I see little point in continuing to add OLD linemen to the roster. Are4 they up to about 86 total players at this point? They can only take 80 to camp. Maye they will dump that worthless Rogers..since he can`t cover or catch the ball when thrown right into his hands.
Shanny will need to hire more coaches to keep track of all the players..how can they evaluate that many guys with any accuracy?

...That is a crowded D-Line. TWISI - not sure why you have H Green penned in already or even Kemoeatu, although I think he's a surer bet. Also, if we're predominantly going with a 3-4 D, then it would make sense that we'd be going with 6 or 7 guys. I'm wondering if Holliday may threaten either Daniel's or Gholston's jobs. Question: Who would you rather have go in that scenario, and why?

Also, RedSkinHead, Haynesworth will suit up as a starter for the Skins this year (for better or worse), so get that out of your mind. Chances are SO slim that he will go anywhere else and the more time goes by, the slimmer those chances are.

Posted by: DC2AZ99 | May 17, 2010 10:15 AM
..................

agreed - it does seem counterintuitive to be bringing in SO MANY d-linemen when we'll be using less linemen and more linebackers than last year..... but obviously we're not keeping all these guys. seems to me like coaches are relatively happy with the linebackers and not so much with the linemen. who knows?

re haynesworth: i surely hope he's here playing his *ss off this year. the only reason i could accept for him not being here is if we get something like a high #1 AND maybe a #2 or #3 pick for him. we were talking during the draft how even a #1 is not a "sure thing" in terms of being a star. love him or hate him haynesworth is a star-quality player (teammate, not so much, but player, yes.)

I think that Adam Carriker was the best pickup of the offseason. He was drafted a 3-4 End, and played well. Until he got hurt, and when Hasslett left, he wasn't a fit in a 4-3. I think he can be a beast. Sleeper pick up in the offseason in my mind!!!

if he came in the league in 98 he is a 12 year vet. You take how many years a player has played and add a year, traditional math does no good here. 2010 minus 1998 is 12 years, but his first year was in 1998, so you add a year, this is his 13th year. Sorry to go all Math teacher on you!

Posted by: monk811 | May 17, 2010 9:50 AM | Report abuse
OK, monk811, if you're going to go Math teacher on us, you have to also go English teacher on us. The meaning of the term "veteran" is that he has played in that season. Since this is pre-season of 2010, he's a veteran of only 12 seasons, 1998 through 2009.

think that Adam Carriker was the best pickup of the offseason. He was drafted a 3-4 End, and played well. Until he got hurt, and when Hasslett left, he wasn't a fit in a 4-3. I think he can be a beast. Sleeper pick up in the offseason in my mind!!!

And stop all the Haynesworth bs. The problem isn't that the guy is not here, the problem is you paid a guy $30 million and he might not be professional enough to be in shape for the next season. that's why you don't invest to the point where a player is not hungry anymore. the Skins need to stop all the public beotching trying to put the blame the onus on #92 and move on. If you want the guys here for 12 months or be at 335 pound, pay him for that.

I'm not trying to argue with you GA, I totally agree things were changed just by simply getting rid of Blache, hopefully guys won't be played out of position and our corners won't play 10 yards off the WRs, however I just think we need more turnovers and we need to be a more dominant shutdown Defense, and I feel switching to the 3-4 will do that. Orakpo should run wild and get tons of sacks and pressure, I just wish Haynesworth would shut his mouth and play NT, he would make the probowl for sure eating up that space in the middle

think that Adam Carriker was the best pickup of the offseason. He was drafted a 3-4 End, and played well. Until he got hurt, and when Hasslett left, he wasn't a fit in a 4-3. I think he can be a beast. Sleeper pick up in the offseason in my mind!!!

Posted by: roccoskins

I'd say he has the POTENTIAL to be the best pickup of the offseason; we'll see what he's really made of.

Folks are starting to break out the "bust" markers to color him in with, but he's got a real nice setup here:

-good coaches who obviously believe in him
-defense that seems to suit his strengths
-he's finally healthy again

"As the Redskins still try to figure out how the Albert Haynesworth situation will resolve itself, they've given themselves plenty of options on the line. Holliday is the ninth linemn they've added this offseason."

I wouldn't exactly call these dline pickups as options. The only two that could be of any major impact are the two with injury questions, Maake and Carricker.
Not that they ever said we would be running a base 3-4 however, cause we will not. Most likely we will do a straight 4-3 when AH is in and do some sort of 3-4 blitz packages.
We just do not have the personnel to run a base 3-4. Unless Kemoatu and Carricker can return to full form.

"And I thought the lost comment would be the one people would react to.

Posted by: alex35332

Alex, you either love it or hate it. Its almost over so you can find something else to rag on soon. I happen to love it....but also see no point in arguing why it rulz with people that don't like it.

Posted by: chrislarry | May 17, 2010 10:43 AM | Report abuse

I'm invested, so I'm gonna see it through.

But I'm anticipating being pretty disappointed.

The writers have soooo many loose ends that they've created, I just don't see them being able to tie it all together in a satisfactory way.

Anyhow, my prediction is that Desmond cancels out the Locke character. Jack becomes the new "Jacob" and Sawyer becomes the new "guy in black" and the dualistic light-dark ying-yang battle carries on ad infinitum...unless the "Kwon" potential actually turns out to be Sun/Jin's child (instead of either Sun or Jin)...that could throw things for a loop.

This I don't understand. All indications were he played well his rookie season, and then 'struggled' with injury and a transition similar to the kid in Green Bay (matthews?). And Andre Carter, among others.

I think NFL coaches get arrogant and try to turn a Clydesdale into a racehorse.

We just do not have the personnel to run a base 3-4. Unless Kemoatu and Carricker can return to full form.

Posted by: Stu27 | May 17, 2010 10:48 AM | Report abuse

I really hope this is the case, but I don't think it is.
By the acquisitions of all these freakin 3-4 lineman, Haynesworth supposedly not being happy (who knows), and converting Jarmon and Alexander to LB's, I'd say they're more committed to going to a 3-4 then staying at a 4-3.

Is Andre going to be an OLB?? He sucked at the position in SF, one of the reasons they traded him to us..He's gotta be a hands down DE to utilize him correctly..Jarmon they HAVE to keep, to save face, hopefully the ACL is healed..

"Horseshoes>Cornhole

Posted by: iH8dallas"

Is there some new Bumf*ck, Texas colloquialism I'm missing here?? Is "Horseshoes" some kinda hillbilly slang or something??

Is this team against bringing in white guys? Blacks are always screaming for equality. When was the last time anyone saw a defensive starting line-up stacked with whites. It's like reverse tokenisim/racism. Let's get these rosters a little more balanced - fair for all. Plenty of good white players out there.

Is this team against bringing in white guys? Blacks are always screaming for equality. When was the last time anyone saw a defensive starting line-up stacked with whites. It's like reverse tokenisim/racism. Let's get these rosters a little more balanced - fair for all. Plenty of good white players out there.

Posted by: wbonora | May 17, 2010 1:21 PM |

I'm white and I think what you said is just asanine. It should be the best man for the position, its not friggen reverse affirmative action. Its football. Would you rather a line filled with probowlers or a "fair" line with somewhats? As a fan of B&GNation and football altogether, I want the best man on the field. I don't see color, I see talent. It could be a purple midget for all I care. As long as they produce. Moving along...

Holiday was a good signing!!!! we need to put fat albert on the physically unable to perform list and don't pay him. stock pile on lineman o and d and keep the guys who want to be there. These guys who have not signed there tenders are still practicing. Tht is tem committment and Danny Boy needs them to nte up. I think Danny needs to take what is left on Vinny's payroll and give it to albert or take it to reoup our loses and send him packing. He has been a cry babby every plce he has been and always will be NO Class like phillip Daniels, London Fletcher, Chris Cooly and I think we need to unload Mike Sellers another one of Vinny's overpaid bums.

Holiday was a good signing!!!! we need to put fat albert on the physically unable to perform list and don't pay him. stock pile on lineman o and d and keep the guys who want to be there. These guys who have not signed there tenders are still practicing. Tht is tem committment and Danny Boy needs them to nte up. I think Danny needs to take what is left on Vinny's payroll and give it to albert or take it to reoup our loses and send him packing. He has been a cry babby every plce he has been and always will be NO Class like phillip Daniels, London Fletcher, Chris Cooly and I think we need to unload Mike Sellers another one of Vinny's overpaid bums.

Holiday was a good signing!!!! we need to put fat albert on the physically unable to perform list and don't pay him. stock pile on lineman o and d and keep the guys who want to be there. These guys who have not signed there tenders are still practicing. Tht is tem committment and Danny Boy needs them to nte up. I think Danny needs to take what is left on Vinny's payroll and give it to albert or take it to reoup our loses and send him packing. He has been a cry babby every plce he has been and always will be NO Class like phillip Daniels, London Fletcher, Chris Cooly and I think we need to unload Mike Sellers another one of Vinny's overpaid bums.

Let Fat Albert sit on the bench - just make sure there's a brace under it. Let everyone else play the positions they're fighting for while Fat Albert stays home. He's not a team player. Just another selfish player with an attitude he hasn't earned in Washington. Holiday is a great add considering his stats. The Skins line is now a line to be concerned about if you're any other team in the NFL.

It won't matter if they brought in Doc Holliday from the tonight Show in 1970. They are still the worst team in any sport, on any continent, including Antarctica. Old players, sakanky Bob Marley helmet logo, midget wrestler owner, and crappiest stadium and concessions in the U.S. They are what they are...a joke.

It won't matter if they brought in Doc Holliday from the tonight Show in 1970. They are still the worst team in any sport, on any continent, including Antarctica. Old players, skanky Bob Marley helmet logo, midget wrestler owner, and crappiest stadium and concessions in the U.S. They are what they are...a joke.

It won't matter if they brought in Doc Holliday from the tonight Show in 1970. They are still the worst team in any sport, on any continent, including Antarctica. Old players, skanky Bob Marley helmet logo, midget wrestler owner, and crappiest stadium and concessions in the U.S. They are what they are...a joke.

"Is this a legitimate signing or an attempt to get a certain over-paid, out of shape, oxygen mask toker on the same page as the team?Posted by: clandestinetomcat"

the above might be a troll, but giving it the benefit of the doubt, Holliday may have started only 3 games in Denver last year but the consensus is he was still the team's best d-lineman. 33 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles -- from a part-timer, that's what we call productivity.

IF Only We actually focus on getting as many lineman on the Offensive side of the ball so we dont have to live with hayer and Mike williams on the Right side.... damn Redskins Fix the Worst part of your team first